Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-13


son of its age and decayed condition, the
mansion needs constant renovating, and
means should be provided to that end.
EDUCATION.
Steady and valuable improvements are
going on in our free school system. In
1882 we expended S1,l0S,42 for free
schools, and In 1886 the amount expended
reached the sum of 81, 362, 226.25. This is
exclusive of the University, the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College and the two
Normal schools. OF course the system is
not yet perfect, aad it never will be until
some of the critics are charged with FORM
ulating system.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
This institution is in its infancy, hut on
permanent basis. The fsculty is an ex-
cellent one, and we look forward to the
near approach of the time when our pee
pie will educate their children at home,
and the children of Texas will crowd the
walls of the University of Texas.
trust that way may be found OF en-
abling the regents to speedily complete
the building, and to put into operation the
medical department. In this connection
call the attention of the legislature to
the claim against the state for money used
at the Prairie View Normal school in
1882, amounting to S22, 495 10. This
amount should be refunded 10 the Uni
versity.
invite attention to the report of the
board of regents, 8 copy of which 1 here
with transmit.
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The Sam Houston Normal Institute was
never in such an excells Mt state Of
efficiency as now, and under the able su-
pervislon of it's board of managers and
Prof. Baldwin 1t ranks among the very
first schools of its class. The state is
being rapidly furnished with well trained
young men and women from this institu
ton, and l am gratified to know that in
nearly every instance they are fulfilling
their obligations to the commonwealth
by teaching the length of time stipulated
on entering the institute.
The Prairie View Normal is also doing
well, and although the pleasing results
visible at the Sam Houston are not here
demonstrated in the same ratio, still it is
efectlng great good in the education of
the colored people of Texas, and gives
promise of permanent benefit.
REVISION OF THE LAWS.
The constitution (Art. 3, Sec. 49, re-
quires the legislature to provide for re-
vision OF the laws every ten years. The
code of laws we now have was provided
for by the legislature in July, 1876, and
the prescribed period having now elapsed,
it is proper for this legislature to make a
like provision.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
There is no doubt that the present
"road law" is very defective and, as a
burden # government, very unequal in
its operations. If a proper revision of
our penal laws is had, as suggested else
where in this message, aud if minor of
lenses are made misdemeauors instead OF
fel0nies, and, further, if the various coun-
ties are required instead Of being per-
mitted to work the roads with county
convicts, the trouble with our highways
will be in a great measure solved. The
law should be SO framed that those in
charge of that class of cOnvicts should be
held to strict account that the prisoner
does the work he is placed at in IL thor
ough manner. If a loose system is |
adopted it will prove disastrous to the
public and the counties.
FEES TO OFFICERS.
In view of the fact that a large number |
of cases in which the state is a party are
filed in Travis county, it would seem that
the officers of that county should have
some compensation. These are cas- 5
where no provision is made for he P ,y- |
meut of fees. Even now considers"! lie |
bill, amounting to about $1,000, has az
crued in this way, and it is submitted |
that some provision should be made to |
meet such cases.
RAILWAYS.
AT the present time there is q general |
movement all over this state to sup. = |
the vacant fields with railway fsciliu :.
1t is well known to those who take ne
trouble to investigate, or who have It
up with the current history of the s. =,
that have opposed all subsidies to ::
way companies from my first entrance
into public life in 1878, whether in lands |
or In money. 1 opposed the amend |
ment to the constitution in 1873 by which |
the lands could be used in that way, andi
l never believed that there was any
authority in the legislature to tax TIE |
people for the purpose of substituting cor
porations. There now is no money nor |
authority to give moJey or lands Gas
there are no lands) in such way. But
as the railroads have banished oil other
means of travelling or transportation, and
while the absolute property in them be- |
longs to the stockholders. yet they are
the peoples highways. Their errors and
the abuses they may practice should be
corrected. The states, and not the |
national government, can correct such
abuses. The federal government has no
constitutional authority over them. If |
whatever wrongs they indulge in toward
the people are not corrected, the failure
will be laid at your doors. But railways
should not be crippled or destroyed.
They should be brought to the highest state
of efficiency in the interest CT the public;
and this consideration, aud this only,
should be the chic! aim Of legislation
and the motive that should inspire it.
INSURANCE, STATISTICS AND HIS TORY.
Much good has been accomplished to
the people through this department. Its
management has been thorough, and
hope it will meet with favor at your
hands. The thorough management and
great benz fits resulting from luis depart
men5 are due to Hon. 81. P. lee, who has
so we'll conducted its opera ions. In re-
ferring to this department ! call special
attention to the recommendatio of the
commissioner for the eslabl; lment OF a
bureau of agriculture. l believe this
would rebound to the great good of the
country, and join in the recommends
ton.